# Liuba María Hevia among 16 Cuban cultural figures honored with the Maestro de Juventudes award

**Date:** 10/06/2026

Singer-songwriter Liuba María Hevia is one of 16 Cuban cultural figures who received the Maestro de Juventudes (Mentor of Youth) award on Monday, October 5, 2026. It is the highest honor given by the Hermanos Saíz Association (AHS), which represents Cuba's young artists and writers. According to a Prensa Latina report carried by Cubadebate and Radio Taíno, the award recognizes artists and intellectuals whose work and conduct serve as a model for younger creators.

In the music and music research category, Hevia shares the honor with María Elena Vinueza, Rodulfo Vaillant and Josué Oliva. The list also includes Regina Balaguer, director of the Ballet de Camagüey; Marta Anido, founder of Santa Clara's first ballet school; painter Moisés Finalé; writers Marilyn Bobes, Jorge Fornet, Lucía Muñoz and Luis Carlos Suárez; Mirtha Ibarra and Dagoberto Gaínza for film and theater; and José Ramón Artigas, Josefa Bracero and Orlando Cruzata for television, radio and audiovisual work. The award was also extended to Brazilian Dominican friar and writer Frei Betto.

The ceremony is part of the AHS's 40th-anniversary program; the association was founded on October 18, 1986. For Hevia, the recognition comes a few weeks after she presented Almas comunes, her 26th album, at Madrid's Ateneo; the full album is due out November 6.